This is a peaty, peaty malt from Islay. It starts off very smooth (not surprisingly, as it spent 24 years mellowing in the cask), then the peat hits you. It's by no means overpowering, but it's certainly all there. The finish is heather and smoke. A very fine dram indeed - highly recommended. If you can find a bottle of the 1975, you are lucky indeed, if not, then all of the Ardbeg is good.